Initial margin: Difference between revisions

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===See also===  
===See also===  
*[[Margin call]]
*[[Margin call]]
*Independent Amount, the {{csa}} and the [[CSA Anatomy]] generally
*{{csaprov|Independent Amount}}, the {{csa}} and the [[CSA Anatomy]] generally
*{{tag|EMIR}}, and in particular {{emirprov|uncleared derivatives margin}}
*{{tag|EMIR}}, and in particular {{emirprov|uncleared derivatives margin}}


{{anatomybar}}
{{anatomybar}}

Revision as of 11:00, 29 July 2019

Also known, to ISDAphiles, as Independent Amount and to aggressive predictive text engines as “I’m”, this is the amount of collateral or margin a counterparty requires up front, notwithstanding any change in the mark-to-market value of the transaction.

Compare, by way of contrast, variation margin.

Initial margin and variation margin

Margin comes in two forms.

  • Variation margin, or VM, is collateral against the present mark-to-market value of the transaction exposure.
    • If you don’t have this and the counterparty goes bust, you’re whistling.
    • In many kinds of margin loan, VM will take the form of the asset in question itself.
  • Initial margin, or IM, is additional collateral in excess of the present mark-to-market value of the transaction exposure.
    • This guards against sudden adverse movements in the value of the collateral or the exposure between margin calls.
    • IM is calculated by reference to the expected maximum loss in value of the transaction (and the existing margin) over the margin period.

See also

Anatomy™: AIFMD | CASS | COBS | Conference calls | Confis | CRR | CSA | EMIR | Equity Derivatives | FOA PCA | FUND | GMRA | GMSLA | ISDA | OSLA | PB | Swapclear | UCITS